Issue - meetings

The report provides an overview of recent developments in education policy and a briefing on key local issues, notably the formation of the York Education Partnership.

RESOLVED: That the formation of the York Education Partnership be supported.

REASON:      Proposals for the York Education Partnership were strongly endorsed by the education community, and the Partnership will enable local schools, with support from the local authority, to continue to work together in providing the best possible educational experience for all children and young people across the City.

Members considered a report which provided an overview of recent developments in education policy and a briefing on key local issues, notably the formation of the York Education Partnership.

The coalition government had introduced legislation that was expected to lead to wide and significant changes in the education system and the way in which schools were managed, funded, and held accountable.  The Academies Act sought to ‘enable more schools to become academies..’ and two schools in York, Manor and Archbishop Holgate’s, had opted for academy status.  Further changes were proposed under the Education Bill, expected to receive Royal Assent later this year, as set out in paragraph 7 of the report. 

During 2010/11, local debate and extensive consultation had led to the formation of the York Education Partnership.  The Interim Board set up to progress the work needed to establish the Partnership had now concluded its task.  The report set out details of the Partnership, its purpose, full Board membership and chairing arrangements.  A draft constitution for the Partnership Board was attached at Annex 1. With regard to the monitoring of school performance, the Partnership would be supported by the small school improvement team (‘the Hub’) retained by the local authority to fulfil its statutory duties in this area.  Examination results in the City for Key Stages 2, 4 and 5 in 2010/11 were summarised in Annex 2 to the report.

RESOLVED: That the formation of the York Education Partnership be supported.

REASON:      Proposals for the York Education Partnership were strongly endorsed by the education community, and the Partnership will enable local schools, with support from the local authority, to continue to work together in providing the best possible educational experience for all children and young people across the City.